Plot summary

Emil Sinclair is a young boy raised in a middle class home, amidst what is described as a Scheinwelt, a play on words that means "world of light" as well as "world of illusion". Emil's entire existence can be summarized as a struggle between two worlds: the show world of illusion (related to the Hindu concept of maya) and the real world, the world of spiritual truth. In the course of the novel, accompanied and prompted by his mysterious classmate 'Max Demian', he detaches from and revolts against the superficial ideals of the world of appearances and eventually awakens into a realization of self.

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The story revolves around a boy names Emil Sinclair. Emil has a constant struggle between two worlds: the world of illusion or light and the world of spiritual "truth". With the help of his enigmatic friend Max Demian, Emil detaches himself from...

This novel provides great insight to the prepubescent boy who literally grows up before our eyes. Germany in the years just prior to WWI experienced many changes, all things that would have brought confusion to a young person living through them....